Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT combination ranks 2408th out of 3714 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the lower-middle tier of all tested systems. This pairing delivers playable frame rates across most common gaming resolutions, but the data reveals a configuration that is heavily dependent on settings management to maintain smooth performance, particularly at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 2408 out of 3714 places it in the 35th percentile of all tested combinations, meaning roughly 65% of tested systems deliver better performance in Lockdown Protocol. This mid-pack positioning is somewhat surprising given the hardware specifications, but the measured frame rates show that the RX 7600 XT’s 16 GB memory capacity does not translate into top-tier FPS in this title.

The CPU sits in the 72nd percentile against all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 18683. The GPU ranks lower at the 60th percentile against all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 17083. This percentile gap suggests the GPU is the limiting factor for this pairing, a conclusion supported by the frame rate scaling across resolutions.

The combination’s rank reflects a balanced but not exceptional pairing. It outperforms approximately one-third of tested combos while trailing the majority, indicating that this system is capable of running the game but will not deliver standout performance compared to more powerful configurations.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data shows a clear GPU-bound scenario at 4K resolution. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 79.2 FPS at Low settings to 38.8 FPS at Ultra, a reduction of over 50%. This dramatic scaling with settings at 4K indicates the RX 7600 XT is the primary bottleneck, as the CPU’s performance headroom cannot compensate for the GPU’s workload at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the scaling is less severe but still significant. Low settings produce 122.1 FPS, while Ultra settings drop to 55.1 FPS. The 67 FPS gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p suggests the GPU is still the dominant factor, but the CPU begins to contribute more meaningfully as the resolution decreases.

At 1920x1080, the CPU and GPU roles become more balanced. Low settings achieve 164.8 FPS, while Ultra settings maintain 78.6 FPS. The i5-12400’s 6 cores and 12 threads with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz provide sufficient processing power to keep frame rates high at 1080p, where the GPU has less pixel-pushing work. The 86.2 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p still indicates GPU sensitivity, but the CPU is no longer the limiting factor.

The scaling pattern across resolutions reveals a classic GPU-bound profile. As resolution increases, the GPU becomes progressively more stressed, while the CPU’s role diminishes. This is expected behavior for a mid-range GPU paired with a capable 6-core processor.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates provide a comprehensive picture of this combo’s capabilities. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the system averages 47.3 FPS. Dropping to Medium settings yields 54.6 FPS, while Low settings produce 79.2 FPS. Ultra settings at 4K are the most demanding, averaging 38.8 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance improves substantially. Low settings deliver 122.1 FPS, Medium settings achieve 84.2 FPS, and High settings produce 77.5 FPS. Ultra settings at 1440p average 55.1 FPS, falling short of the 60 FPS threshold.

At 1920x1080, the system shows its strongest performance. Low settings achieve 164.8 FPS, Medium settings deliver 120.2 FPS, and High settings average 105.2 FPS. Ultra settings at 1080p produce 78.6 FPS, comfortably above the playable threshold.

The data reveals a consistent pattern: the RX 7600 XT delivers adequate performance at 1080p across all settings, becomes marginal at 1440p for Ultra settings, and struggles at 4K except for Low settings. The absence of min and max FPS data limits the analysis of frame time consistency, but the average FPS figures provide a clear picture of the system’s capabilities.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The i5-12400’s nearest rivals in benchmark scores include the AMD EPYC 7643 with an average score of 18697 and a delta of -0.1% from the i5-12400’s 18683. The Intel Core i7-1355U scores 18730 with a -0.3% delta, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 achieves 18811 with a -0.7% delta. The Intel Core i3-14100F scores 18519 with a 0.9% delta, meaning it performs slightly worse than the i5-12400.

For the RX 7600 XT, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 has an average score of 17037 with a 0.3% delta from the RX 7600 XT’s 17083. The AMD Radeon HD 7970M scores 17019 with a 0.4% delta. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 achieves 17208 with a -0.7% delta, performing slightly better than the RX 7600 XT. The NVIDIA Tesla M4 scores 16932 with a 0.9% delta, performing slightly worse.

These rival comparisons indicate that systems using the i3-14100F would deliver nearly identical performance to the i5-12400 in Lockdown Protocol. Similarly, swapping the RX 7600 XT for an RTX 3070 would provide a marginal performance uplift of less than 1%. The EPYC 7643 and Ryzen AI 5 330 are comparable CPU alternatives, while the GTX 690 and HD 7970M represent older but similar-performing GPU options.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the only playable setting is Low, which achieves 79.2 FPS. Medium settings at 54.6 FPS and High settings at 47.3 FPS both fall below the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings at 38.8 FPS are not viable at this resolution. The data confirms that 4K gaming with this combo requires significant setting compromises.

At 2560x1440, the best playable setting is High, which delivers 77.5 FPS. Medium settings at 84.2 FPS and Low settings at 122.1 FPS are also playable, but High provides the best visual quality while maintaining playability. Ultra settings at 55.1 FPS fall just below the threshold and are not recommended.

At 1920x1080, all settings are playable. Ultra settings achieve 78.6 FPS, making it the best choice for maximum visual quality. High settings at 105.2 FPS, Medium at 120.2 FPS, and Low at 164.8 FPS are all viable options, with Ultra providing the best balance of quality and performance.

The Verdict

This PC can run Lockdown Protocol, but the playable settings vary significantly by resolution. At 3840x2160, the system is limited to Low settings with 79.2 FPS, which is playable but requires substantial visual compromises. The 4K Ultra experience at 38.8 FPS is not viable for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, High settings deliver 77.5 FPS, providing a good balance of visual quality and performance. Ultra settings at 55.1 FPS are borderline, but the other three settings levels are all comfortably playable.

At 1920x1080, the system excels. Ultra settings achieve 78.6 FPS, and every settings level remains above the 60 FPS threshold. The highest quality preset at 1080p delivers smooth performance, making this resolution the sweet spot for this configuration.

For gamers targeting 1080p, this combo offers excellent performance across all settings. At 1440p, the system is capable with High settings or lower. At 4K, only Low settings provide a playable experience, and users should expect to sacrifice visual quality for acceptable frame rates.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1920x1080 resolution?

A: Ultra settings achieve 78.6 FPS at 1080p, making it the best playable option. All other presets also exceed 60 FPS, with High at 105.2 FPS, Medium at 120.2 FPS, and Low at 164.8 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming?

A: At 3840x2160, only Low settings are playable with 79.2 FPS. Medium settings at 54.6 FPS and High settings at 47.3 FPS fall below the 60 FPS threshold, and Ultra settings at 38.8 FPS are not viable.

Q: How does the i5-12400 compare to the i3-14100F?

A: The i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683, while the i3-14100F scores 18519. The i3-14100F is 0.9% slower, meaning the i5-12400 provides marginally better performance.

Q: What is the playable threshold for this game?

A: The playable threshold is 60 FPS. Settings that achieve at least 60 FPS are considered playable, while those below 60 FPS are not recommended for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is the RX 7600 XT or RTX 3070 better for this game?

A: The RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 17208 compared to the RX 7600 XT’s 17083, making it 0.7% faster. This difference is minimal and unlikely to produce noticeable frame rate changes in Lockdown Protocol.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested systems?

A: The combination ranks 2408th out of 3714 tested combos, placing it in the lower-middle tier. This means it outperforms roughly 35% of tested systems but trails the majority of configurations.